Sponsored By

India proposes 'simpler' tax regime for foreign cruise lines (updated)

India Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday proposed a simpler tax regime for foreign operators of domestic cruises.

Anne Kalosh, Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

July 24, 2024

1 Min Read
CRUISE Costa Serena
Costa Serena completed a season of domestic cruises in India earlier this yearPHOTO: COSTA CRUISES

According to news reports, this would eliminate 'double taxation' of cruise operations and exempt income derived from leased vessels.

'Tremendous potential'

'There is tremendous potential for cruise tourism in India,' Sitharaman said in signaling the changes. 'To give a fillip to this employment-generating industry, I am proposing a simpler tax regime for foreign shipping companies operating domestic cruises in the country.'

Seatrade Cruise News reached out to Indian officials and several cruise lines for clarification of the proposals and what they could mean for India's cruise business and will update this story.

Costa Cruises, for one, has been operating in India since 2016 and earlier this year completed a season of domestic sailings on Costa Serena.

MSC Cruises?

Sarbanda Sonowal, minister of ports, shipping and waterways, told The Hindu Businessline MSC Cruises expressed interest in sailing from India starting in early 2025 as a result of the tax reforms and that other lines have been in touch.

Update: In a statement to Seatrade, MSC Cruises said it is 'always looking for new destinations and as India is of potential interest for us, we are analyzing the country’s new budget and its proposed cruise-related tax rules.'

Outreach at Seatrade Cruise Global

Officials from India’s Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, together with senior officials from the port authorities of Mumbai, Murmugao and Cochin, attended Seatrade Cruise Global in April.

They touted a raft of cruise-friendly policy initiatives including relaxed cabotage rules, e-visa facility, guaranteed berthing, volume discounts, single e-landing cards and uniform customs and immigration procedures at ports.

About the Author

Anne Kalosh

Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

Anne Kalosh covers global stories, reporting both breaking and in-depth news on cruising's significant people, places, ships and trends. A sought-after expert on cruising, she has moderated conferences around the world, including the high-profile State of the Industry panel at Seatrade Cruise Global. She created and led the acclaimed itinerary-planning case study for Seatrade's cruise master classes held at Cambridge and Oxford universities. She has been the cruise columnist for AFAR.com, and her freelance stories have appeared in a wide range of publications, from The New York Times to The Miami Herald.

The latest cruise news, analysis and more straight to your inbox
Get the free newsletter read by industry experts

You May Also Like